Automatic fishhook setting apparatus

Abstract

An automatic fishhook setting apparatus includes a base which is detachably mounted on an anchor post with freedom of side-to-side pivotal movement. A fishing rod support member is hingedly connected to the base for pivotal movement between a set position wherein a fishing rod is supported in forwardly extended relation and a release position wherein the rod is moved to an upright position. The rod support member is biased toward its release position but may be releasably latched in the set position by an elongated upright trigger pivotally connected to the base and having a latching surface engageable with the rod support member. A portion of the fishing line adjacent the reel is trained rearwardly around the upper end of the trigger so that strikes on the line by a fish pivot the trigger forwardly causing the fishing rod and rod support member to be pivoted upwardly to securely set the hook in a fish's mouth.

I claim: 
     
       1. An automatic fish hook setting apparatus adapted for holding a fishing rod including a handle at one end, an eye on the opposite end, a reel adjacent said handle and a fish line extended from said reel through said eye and having a hook adjacent the free end thereof, said apparatus comprising, a base,   an anchor post connected to said base and extended downwardly therefrom,   a fishing rod support member connected to the base for pivotal movement between a set position for supporting the rod in a generally forwardly extended position and a release position for supporting the rod in a generally upright position,   bias means for urging said rod support member to the release position therefor, and   coacting latch means on said base and pole support member,   said coacting latch means comprising an upwardly facing latching surface on said rod support member adjacent the forward end thereof and an elongated trigger having a lower end pivotally connected to said base, a fish line retaining means at the upper end of said trigger and a downwardly facing latching surface on said trigger adjacent and above said lower end,   said trigger, upon movement of said pole support member to the set position therefor, being pivotally movable to a position wherein said latching surfaces are engaged to releasably secure said pole support member in the set position therefor against the urging of said bias means, whereby upon training the fish line through said fish line retaining means, a forward pull on the line is operative to pivot said trigger forwardly clear of said rod support member whereby said bias means is operative to pivot said rod support member upwardly to set the hook in a fish's mouth,   said base and said pole support member, in the set position therefor, each including vertically spaced-apart rearwardly extended flanges, said bias means being connected to and extended between said flanges.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base and rod support member are generally L-shaped members pivotally connected together at their apices. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rearwardly extended flanges are integral parts of said base and rod support member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said bias means comprises an elongated tension spring having hooked ends and each of said flanges includes a hole for receiving one of said hooked ends. 
     
     
       5. An automatic fish hook setting apparatus adapted for holding a fishing rod including a handle at one end, an eye on the opposite end, a reel adjacent said handle and a fish line extended from said reel through said eye and having a hook adjacent the free end thereof, said apparatus comprising, a base,   an anchor post connected to said base and extended downwardly therefrom,   a fishing rod support member connected to the base for pivotal movement between a set position for supporting the rod in a generally forwardly extended position and a release position for supporting the rod in a generally upright position,   bias means for urging said rod support member to the release position therefor, and   coacting latch means on said base and pole support member,   said coacting latch means comprising an upwardly facing latching surface on said rod support member adjacent the forward end thereof and an elongated trigger having a lower end pivotally connected to said base, a fish line retaining means at the upper end of said trigger and a downwardly facing latching surface on said trigger adjacent and above said lower end,   said trigger, upon movement of said pole support member to the set position therefor, being pivotally movable to a position wherein said latching surfaces are engaged to releasably secure said pole support member in the set position therefor against the urging of said bias means, whereby upon training the fish line through said fish line retaining means, a forward pull on the line is operative to pivot said trigger forwardly clear of said rod support member whereby said bias means is operative to pivot said rod support member upwardly to set the hook in a fish's mouth,   said base comprising an elongated generally horizontal plate having forward and rearward ends, a generally vertical plate extended downwardly from the rearward end of said horizontal plate and a rearwardly extended flange adjacent the lower end of said vertical plate, said rod support member being connected to said base adjacent the juncture of said horizontal and vertical plates for pivotal movement about a transverse axis.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said rod support member, in the set position therefor, is in part constructed as substantially the mirror image of said base.